Hello darlings! Emma here, your resident pink-tutu-loving time traveller, back for another #TutuTuesday dive into the history of ballet! Today, we’re whisking ourselves back to the 14th of June 1932. Now, imagine this: the sun's shining, the birds are singing (or at least pretending to), and a delightful air of excitement is wafting through the streets of… drumroll… Paris, darling! 🇫🇷
We're at the height of the Art Deco period, with Parisian fashion buzzing with geometric patterns, sharp lines, and a touch of glamour that never goes out of style. I'm sitting at my window seat on the train, watching the world go by. You know me, always embracing the elegant journey!
Why Paris, you ask? Because, darlings, Paris is the beating heart of the ballet world!
This is the era where ballet greats like Serge Diaghilev, Vaslav Nijinsky and Tamara Karsavina were redefining ballet, with bold new productions, mesmerizing dances, and groundbreaking designs. Their performances, often a dazzling mix of colours, shapes, and sheer athleticism, were literally captivating the world!
But this #TutuTuesday is about something special – the tutus themselves. Back in 1932, tutus were changing, moving from the romantic, flowing tulle of the late 19th century into something a little more… modern and streamlined.
Think shorter tutus, featuring stronger, more geometric lines. You'd see beautiful contrasts in the choreography – a swirling cloud of tulle contrasted against crisp, sharp movements. The movement, darling, that's where the magic really happens!
Oh, and those colours! From the dazzling midnight blue of Diaghilev's Ballets Russes, the shimmering silvers and golds of the Russian Seasons, to the vibrant reds and purples of later works, they'd mesmerize even the most jaded of audiences.
But let's not just stay in Paris! I'm dying to share with you what else was happening on this date.
In Derbyshire, England, where I’m from (home of Peak District walks and lots of lovely Derbyshire Tea Rooms!), they’re preparing for a special charity gala. And who's performing? Dame Margot Fonteyn! 🇬🇧 This brilliant British dancer was starting to rise to fame.
Imagine, darlings, the magic of seeing this legendary dancer, with her graceful, precise movements and exquisite sense of timing, captivating audiences. Her artistry, the pure magic of dance, that's what makes ballet such a special art form!
Today’s tutu is a celebration of this magnificent era of ballet – an era that was, truly, shaping the world of ballet as we know it.
And what better way to celebrate this era than with a pink tutu! 🎀 This little pink beauty is just begging to twirl! Who wants to join me? Let’s keep the ballet flame burning bright, and who knows? Maybe one day, everyone will be wearing a pink tutu!
Now, off I go, off to London. You know me, darling, always seeking out more fabulous fashion, enchanting ballet performances, and new time travel adventures!
Until next week, darling,
Emma 💕
P.S. Want to see what the real ballets in Paris were like back then? Head over to the website of the Paris Opera Ballet – you can find archival photos, videos, and even historical recordings!
Don't forget to check out my previous #TutuTuesday blogs, www.pink-tutu.com!
